Tensions rise in Athens with nurses occupying Health Ministry and students clashing with riot police over unwanted educational reform
Tension rose in Athens on the 4th of December as nurses who are on a 48h national strike occupied the Ministry of Health.
When the Minister appeared pleading to do what he can to help them, the nurses replied "then come with us to occupy the Ministry of Economics".
At the same time the weekly protest march of students against the implementation of the educational law that caused a virtual uprising in 2006-2007 ended up with clashes with riot police forces (MAT) when the latter arrested one man.
When the protesters tried to take the arrested from the hands of the police tear gas was fired at them, leading to widespread clashed in the center of Athens and especially around the School of Architecture (Polytechneio).
During the clashes one motorbike squad policeman was injured and his bike destroyed while one shop owner was reported to have shot warning rounds of live ammunition causing a further escalation of violence.
The School of Architecture like more and more Universities across the country is now being occupied by students.
Comments
dorenrobbins.com If the
dorenrobbins.com
If the general strike, and the reasons for it, were displayed and explained on the news--the majority of US citizens would be rallying their support for the Greek people and their demands. Why aren't the unions and workers of the US in the streets making demands until they are fulfilled? No, we make our not-so-sweetheart deals and bite the cliché bullet the authorities, bosses and politicians hand us as a token of our cooperation, our essential meekness. What a disgusting reality. Higher wages, national healthcare, responsible free education, secure pensions. We need a massive change from this glutton-slavering capitalism that holds working-class people down around the world. Obama will make some changes, but the Band-Aid changes Obama accomplishes will not be enough. The whole system has to be adjusted with a sense of economic justice for all citizens. The working people of Greece should not be forced to act in violence. But there will be more revolt, unless the system changes.
Doren Robbins, poet and educator
I'm searching for other outlets. In the meantime responses can be sent to BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7774634.stm